ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Three West Indies women cricketers have been selected to play in a T20 cricket challenge, which will feature some of the world’s best players.

Stafanie Taylor and Shakera Selman have been invited to play for the Trailblazers, while Hayley Matthews will turn out for Velocity. The other outfit is Supernovas.

The four-match tri-series is being hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and will run from May 6 to 11 at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur.

Taylor said she hoped that the series would pave the way for the introduction of a Women’s IPL tournament.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing in India but this will be a new experience for me. I’m looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere that I’ve seen in the IPL on TV and I’m hoping that this season will be a catalyst to have an actual women’s IPL,” she said.

Selman, who will be steaming into the pace attack for the Trailblazers, alongside Indian pacer Jhulan Goswami, is relishing the opportunity to play alongside her West Indies captain and the other international players.

“I’m grateful to be afforded the opportunity to take part in the Women’s T20 challenge, as it’s another chance to showcase my talent alongside some of the best female cricketers in the game. And I am hopeful that this challenge will be used to develop a women’s IPL.”

Meanwhile, Matthews who will be challenging her West Indies Women’s teammates echoed similar sentiments saying, “It’s an honour to be able to participate in such a huge initiative in women’s cricket. I’m really looking forward to playing alongside some of the best players in the world and being able to play my role in helping to grow women’s cricket.”

Jimmy Adams, Cricket West Indies Director of Cricket, congratulated the three West Indies women players on their selection.

However, he said it was unfortunate that Deandra Dottin could not play due to an injury.

“We’re delighted that Stafanie, Shakera and Hayley have the chance to experience this tournament and showcase West Indies women’s cricket talent at the same time.  It’s unfortunate that Deandra Dottin was not able to participate due to injury. We’ll be watching out for the performances and welcome this initiative from the BCCI,” he said.

Women’s T20 Cricket Challenge Squads:

SUPERNOVAS: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Anuja Patil, Arundhati Reddy, Chamari Athapaththu, Jemimah Rodrigues, Lea Tahuhu, Mansi Joshi, Natalie Sciver, Poonam Yadav, Priya Punia, Radha P Yadav, Sophie Devine, Taniya Bhatia, W V Raman (coach)

TRAILBLAZERS: Smriti Mandhana (c), Bharti Fulmali, Dayalan Hemalatha, Deepti Sharma, Harleen Deol, Jasia Akhtar, Jhulan Goswami, R Kalpana, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Shakera Selman, Sophie Ecclestone, Stafanie Taylor, Suzie Bates, Biju George (coach)

VELOCITY: Mithali Raj (c), Amelia Kerr, Danielle Wyatt, Devika Vaidya, Ekta Bisht, Hayley Matthews, Jahanara Alam, Komal Zhanzad, Shafali Verma, Shikha Pandey, Sushma Verma, Sushree Dibyadarshini, Veda Krishnamurthy, Mamta Maben (coach)